First Old Settlers’ Association of Monroe Meeting

ALFREE, CHIPS, CLAUSSEN, COLLINS, COOK, CUNNINGHAM, DEBOK, DODGE, DOTSON, DRAKE, FROST, FUDGE, GIFFORD, GIL, HALL, HENDERSHOT, HENDRYX, HIGHLAND, HONNOLD, HOWARD, JARNAGIN, KELLEY, KINGDON, LACKEY, LEWIS, LIVINGSTON, LUST, MCBRIDE, MCCLINTOCK, MCCONNAUGHEY, MCDANNEL, MCDUFF, MEYER, MILLS, MORRISON, MOSIER, OFFIL, PENDROY, PORTER, RODGERS, SAGER, SHAW, SHENTON, SHEPHERD, THOMASON, TICE, TOOL, VANCE, WILLIAMS, WORTH

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 3/15/2017 at 16:39:39

The Child Is Born And Named
A Permanent Association Effected of the Old Settlers’ Association of Monroe
Their First Reunion A Great Success
Good Crowd – Good Speeches – Good Music – Good Time All Around
“Say, wasn’t it a grand success?”
“Pleasantest public meeting in the park for years.”
“Never saw such a large crown around the stand pay such close attention to the speakers.”
Such were the expressions that were heard on every side at the close of the first old settlers’ reunion ever held in Monroe, on Thursday last.
The management evidently had a stand-in with the weather clerk – the weather could not have been improved – it was simply delightful.
And the people – they began coming in bright and early from all directions, until by 1 o’clock there was such a large crowd, as to make comparisons with our best 4th of July days. And the old settlers, some of them that had looked in upon Goody Jasper before the 40’s; what memories of the past they brought with them. Pioneers that commenced with the aboriginal Indians, the emigrant with all his hardships and vicissitudes. In comparing their struggles then and the now, what a marked contrast. These pioneers bravely surmounted all difficulties, and we are in a great measure enjoying the fruits of it. What a mingling of old time friends there was – past and present – and how thoroughly it was enjoyed.
A log cabin – typical of the old – had a prominent place in the park, which proved a great attraction, as well as the old time relics. There were the strings of dried pumpkins skins of wild animals, seed corn, and an old spinning wheel and reel which had seen service a hundred years back, a big pocket knife owned by Mrs. J. K. Fudge, which her grandfather, Jacob Pendroy, had bought in 1812; a rolling pin used by Mrs. Hardin Lewis’ grandmother; a flint lock pistol owned by J. M. Porter, used by an ancestor in the battle of Brandywine; besides flails, sickles, forks, rakes, etc., used by our grandfathers in their agricultural work. Nearby was an old fashioned well sweep with “the old oaken bucket which hung in the well.”
In the afternoon there was a novel parade under Marshall ship of Geo. Lackey. First came “Uncle Dick” Thomason, Ed McBride, Peter Lust, Henry Lewis and Asa Shepherd with old time sickles and rakes. Two covered wagons, one managed by Manly Gifford, loaded with a family, and printed on it “Tool’s Point or Bust, 1843.” The second, a one horse outfit, managed by Mr. Sager, loaded with a big family and a dog. Then came “Jake” McDuff on horseback with a sack of grain in front and behind, inquiring his way to the mill. All were dressed as near as possible to represent “old times.” This was followed by a large number of old settlers headed by the band.
The exercises in the Park were very interesting. Tool’s Point was settled in the spring of ’43 by Adam Tool, Wm. Highland, J. B. Frost, and John Vance, and Revs. J. A and J. M. Tool, sons of Adam Tool, were two principal figures in the exercises. J. A. Tool presided as President. There was excellent music throughout the whole day by the Monroe band under leadership of J. R. Hall, himself an old settler. Choice vocal music was furnished under direction of Dr. Hendershot. Rev. Wilson Mills led in an earnest and warm prayer. Mayor Hugh Morrison made the welcome address in a neat and appropriate manner. Both James A. and John M. Tool made interesting addresses, which, if we had space, we would we would notice more extendedly. Short and pointed addresses were also made by Hon. E. E. Dotson, of Colfax; Col. John Meyer of Newton, and Prof. D. M. Kelley, of Colfax.
A permanent organization was effected, to be known as the Old Settlers Association of Monroe, to meet annually, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President – John M. Tool
Vice Presidents – Jas. A. Tool, Ellis Gifford, David Tice, Allen Tice, John Williams, Joshua Chips, Samuel Worth, Richard Thomason, Allen McDannel, A. J. Porter.
Secretary – Z. T. Honnold
Treasurer – L. M. Shaw
Marshal – Geo. Lackey
Notes
Tommy Rodgers, C. A. B. Tice, W. H. Dodge and wife, M. S. Drake, Col. Meyer, Willett Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cook and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. John Claussen, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Jarnagin, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Shenton, Mrs. Joe Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. John Hendryx, Harry Alfree and M. K. Livingston and family attended from Newton.
A. McDannel, of Reasnor, came in 1852. He footed here all the way from Tennessee, when but 19 years of age.
Mr. David Tice, who came in 1843, entered 200 acres three miles south of Monroe, which he is still occupying and to which he has added 120 acres more. He is 77. His brother, Allan Tice, one year younger, came at the same time entering 360 acres 3 miles southeast of Monroe, which he sold a few years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. DeBok, of Cordova, came early and staid all day. They came in 1849.
Mrs. Adam Tool was the first proud possessor of a cook stove.
Dan Mosier was also present. He came in ’43 and was the great Nimrod of the settlement. He can spin some hunting stories.
Nearly 200 badges were given out.
Badges run short, but we have printed some more of them, and any old settler can have one by calling at this office.
Six were present who came here in 1843: They were: James A. Tool, John M. Tool, Allan Tice, David Tice, Mrs. Huldah McClintock and John Williams.
Nate Collins came in 41.
Mrs. Joel Worth and Dan Mosier were introduced as the oldest old settler now living.
-Father McConnaughey and daughter, Miss Annie, celebrated with the old settlers at Monroe yesterday – Prairie City Kodak-News.
-Quite a number of our people enjoyed the old settler’s reunion at Monroe yesterday, among them being Drs. Gil and McConnaughey, and Messrs. J. V. Yowell, J. F. Offil and Wm. Kingdon. – Prairie City Kodak News.
-Mr. and Mrs. John Morrison, Hon. E. E. Dotson and Supt. D. M. Kelley represented Colfax at the old settlers’ reunion at Monroe yesterday, and the two latter gentlemen delivered addresses. – Colfax Clipper
Source: Monroe Mirror (Monroe, IA); Thursday, August 12, 1897